THE HIGH STAKES COMMUNICATION PROFlLE
Trusted by 100+ organisations, including
The pressure moments that reveal who we are
Most people don't struggle because they lack knowledge. Under pressure, the knowledge simply stops being accessible.
"I knew the answer. I just couldn't get it out."
Your perfect response was formed twenty minutes later in the corridor or on the drive home. In the meeting, nothing came to mind.
"I said way more than I needed to and made it worse."
Your explanation kept going. The qualifiers piled up. By the end, the original point was buried somewhere underneath all of it.
"I came out too strong and had to manage the fallout."
Their challenge felt like an attack. Your response was fired off a little too quickly. Cue the repair work.
The Blank Canvas
Capable and thoughtful, but under pressure the words don't come. The right response forms twenty minutes later in the corridor, on the drive home.
"I knew exactly what I wanted to say. I just couldn't say it."
The Avoider
Skilled at navigating around difficult moments without it looking like navigation. Present in the room, but not always visible in it.
"I gave an answer. I'm just not sure it was to the actual question."
The Defender
Confident and direct under pressure — a genuine asset.
The challenge is that the response can fire before the situation has been fully assessed.
"I came out a bit strong. Again."
The Over-Explainer
Qualifies everything, apologises before being asked, and wraps a clear, well-reasoned view in so many words it gets lost somewhere in the middle.
"I had a good point in there somewhere. I think."